Raja Rozela retiring early, says AGC over Zahid’s case

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Raja Rozela Raja Toran will no longer lead the corruption trial against Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi due to her early retirement, says Attorney General Tan Sri Idrus Harun.

He said the Attorney General’s Chambers’ (AGC) decision to replace Datuk Raja Rozela as the head of the prosecuting team was done after several factors and careful consideration.

"Datuk Rozela had submitted an application on April 3, 2023 to retire early. The application was approved and would take effect on Nov 1, 2023.

"Consequently, Datuk Raja Rozela had applied to go on leave before her retirement on Aug 30, 2023," the Attorney General said in a statement on Tuesday (Aug 8).

She had acted as the lead deputy public prosecutor (DPP) in the case against Ahmad Zahid who was charged with misappropriating RM31mil from charitable foundation, Yayasan Akal Budi.

Idrus also announced that Datuk Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar will take charge of the prosecution team in the case against the Deputy Prime Minister.

He said that Mohd Dusuki has almost 30 years experience as a DPP.

"He currently heads the AGC's Trial and Appeals Division which handled Court of Appeal and Federal Court cases, including high-profile cases such as the Sulu terrorist incursion in Lahad Datu, Sabah," added Idrus.

As Ahmad Zahid's trial is still ongoing, with dates fixed till December this year, Idrus said a new head had to be appointed to ensure continuity in the prosecution’s case.

He added the decision was done with care to ensure that the prosecution against Ahmad Zahid would not be jeopardised while ensuring justice in line with the powers of the Attorney General under the Federal Constitution.